Things to remember during a DUI stop

On behalf of Mark M. Cheser, Esquire, Counselor at Law on Friday, January 18, 2019.

It's Friday night and you decided to stop by your favorite watering hole to unwind with your friends after an exceptionally long week at work. On your way home through Union, your night takes a detour. You see the red and blue lights of a police car flash behind you and you know you are being pulled over.

A traffic stop after you have had even a single drink can be very scary. If the stop becomes a field test to determine if you are driving under the influence, it can be absolutely terrifying. Here are some tips to help you get through a driving under the influence (DUI) stop.

Pull over quickly and safely

No matter the circumstances, if a police officer is pulling you over it is important to stop your vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. If the area is not safe, turn on your hazards and slow down so that the police officer knows you intend to stop as soon as you come to a safe area.

Stay in your car

Once you come to a stop, stay in your car and keep your hands visible. If you get out of the car without the officer asking you to do so it can escalate the situation. The last thing you will want is to cause the officer to suspect you of being a danger.

Don't get chatty

A traffic stop is not the time to get chatty with a police officer. In other words, you should not be volunteering information or arguing your case. By offering up too much information you can incriminate yourself. Furthermore, the officer is not going to care about your arguments and you should save those for your day in court.

Remain calm

One of the best things you can do during a DUI stop, or any kind of encounter with law enforcement, is to stay calm. Even if you are polite to the officer, don't tell him how many drinks you've had and follow the above steps, you still might get arrested. If this happens, stay calm and follow all of the officer's instructions.

If you have been pulled over and charged with a DUI, keep in mind that you have rights. After your arrest and the judge sets a court date, you will be able to defend yourself. With the right defense, you might be able to avoid a DUI conviction.

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